• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

This Vivacious Life logo

  • Welcome
    • About the vivacious girl…
    • Privacy Policy
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Charcuterie
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Welcome
    • About the Vivacious Girl…
    • Privacy Policy
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Charcuterie
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Christmas » Hot Cocoa Bar (Festive & Fun!)

    Hot Cocoa Bar (Festive & Fun!)

    July 6, 2022 By Chandice | Leave a Comment | Updated July 6, 2022

    this post may contain affiliate links

    Hot Cocoa Bar pin

    A hot cocoa bar is such a fun idea for the whole family during the holiday season. What better way to warm up on a cold day than with homemade hot chocolate? Add your favorite toppings and sweet treats to make your hot chocolate your own!

    It takes almost no time setting up a hot chocolate station and it’s guaranteed to be a hit at holiday parties, birthday parties, or other special events. Serve candy canes, homemade marshmallows, caramel sauce, chocolate chips, and more at your hot cocoa bar.

    Christmas recipes are some of my favorite recipes to make. They’re festive, fun, and enjoyed by the whole family. My family loves to celebrate a Hygge Christmas by making ebelskiver and this chocolate orange cake.

    Along with a hot cocoa bar, charcuterie boards are always a crowd pleaser at family gatherings. My Christmas charcuterie board and my Thanksgiving charcuterie board are expected every year.

    If this hot cocoa recipe isn’t your thing, you should try my candy cane Christmas mocktails. It’s perfect for those who want a Christmasy drink but don’t love chocolate. And, since it’s a mocktail, kids can enjoy it too!

    Subscribe to This Vivacious Life

    Receive a free e-book of Instant Pot recipes!

    Hot Cocoa Bar fixings

    What can I put on my hot chocolate station?

    The hot cocoa bar ideas are endless! There are so many different toppings from cinnamon sticks to chocolate whipped cream. Pick your favorite toppings and decor to set out for your guests to enjoy. Here are some of my favorite options…

    • Peppermint sticks or candy canes
    • Chocolate bars like Hershey’s, Snickers, Twix, etc.
    • Mini marshmallows
    • Large marshmallows
    hot cocoa bar marshmallows
    • Cinnamon sticks
    • Whipped cream (chocolate or regular)
    • Chocolate chips
    • Irish cream
    • Chocolate sauce
    • Coarse sea salt
    • Toffee bits
    Hot cocoa bar decorations

    How do you decorate a hot chocolate bar?

    Decorating is one of my favorite parts of a hot cocoa bar. There’s so many ways to make your hot chocolate bar festive or fit the theme of your party. There is no wrong way to decorate a hot cocoa bar but here are some of my suggestions…

    Hot Cocoa Bar decor

    Decorative cups

    You can use mason jars, plastic cups, styrofoam cups, mugs, etc. I like having markers or pens handy so people can label and decorate their cups. If using mason jars or mugs, I like to have strands of ribbon laid out so people can decorate that way.

    Hot cocoa bar cups

    Signs

    A cute hot cocoa bar sign is a must! You can buy a sign from Amazon, hobby lobby, or reuse a chalkboard sign. Using a smaller hot chocolate sign to label toppings, directions, etc. is another great way to spice up your hot cocoa station.

    Hot Cocoa Bar with chocolate spoon in cup

    What brand of hot chocolate is the best?

    There’s many different types of hot chocolate to serve at a hot cocoa bar. Homemade hot chocolate, hot cocoa bombs, hot cocoa mix, etc. You can choose whatever style you’d like but here are a few of my favorite store bought hot cocoa mixes…

    • Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate Mix
    • Starbucks hot cocoa
    • Swiss Milk Chocolate hot cocoa (a classic)
    hot cocoa bar

    How do you make easy homemade hot chocolate?

    You only need four ingredients for a delicious cup of homemade hot chocolate. Heat milk, cocoa powder, and sugar in a saucepan until combined. Then add chocolate chips and whisk until the chocolate has dissolved.

    Homemade hot chocolate always tastes better than hot cocoa mix. If you have time, I highly recommending making your own hot chocolate. It’s the easiest way to make sure your cocoa bar is the best.

    Hot cocoa bar with marshmallows

    What snacks go well with hot chocolate?

    After you assemble the cutest hot cocoa bar, you’ll still need to feed your guests. I like to set out a variety of sweet and savory snacks but you can do whatever you’d like.

    Hot Cocoa Bar fixings

    Sweet snacks for a hot cocoa bar

    • Chocolate chip or sugar cookies
    • Reindeer cookies
    • Rolled Wafers (Piroulines)
    • Donuts
    • Banana bread
    • Muffins
    • Christmas crack
    • Chocolate bars
    • Sweet trail mix
    • Cupcakes
    Christmas cookies for hot cocoa bar

    Savory snacks for a hot cocoa bar

    • Small charcuterie board
    • Chips and dip
    • Trail mix
    • Melting pot cheese fondue
    • Chex mix
    • Cheeseball recipe and crackers
    • Christmas charcuterie board
    Hot Cocoa Bar gals enjoying drinks

    Share:

    Filed Under: Christmas, Entertaining

    Chandice of This Vivacious Life

    Hi, I'm Chandice!

    Parties, gatherings, gorgeous food and ESPECIALLY holidays with my people are what make my heart pitter patter. Having a place to share our favorite traditions, recipes and celebrations is very important to me. I live each day with unapologetic, authentic happiness and hope to help others do the same. More About Chandice

    FREEBIES

    Subscribe to receive a FREE e-book of Instant Pot Dinner Recipes!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Chandice of This Vivacious Life

    Hi there, I’m Chandice!

    I love sharing ways to live more vivaciously! Celebrate life with us through unforgettable gluten-free recipes, easy mocktails and everyday entertaining ideas…

    Read More

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Freebies

    Subscribe to receive a FREE e-book of Instant Pot Dinner Recipes!

    Seasonal Recipes & Entertaining

    What is a mocktail? Hand pouring drink ingredient into a cup.

    What is a mocktail?

    Whole30 Ranch Dressing in a glass pitcher

    Whole30 Ranch Dressing (Dairy-Free)

    Three whole30 crab cakes on a white plate

    Whole30 Gluten-Free Crab Cakes

    Featured Posts

    Gluten-free crescent rolls on a plate

    Gluten-Free Crescent Rolls (The BEST Ever!)

    Easy Tater Tot Casserole on a spoon

    Easy Tater Tot Casserole (Grandma’s Recipe)

    gluten free ramen in a white bowl

    Gluten Free Ramen (the BEST!)

    Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls (the BEST) on a plate

    Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls (The BEST & Fluffiest!)

    Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese in a bowl

    Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese (Instant Pot)

    Grazing Table on butcher paper

    Grazing Table (Easy & Delicious!)

    Check out my e-book!

    Sheet Pan Meals and More gluten-free e-book

    Gluten Free on a Budget

    Our cookbook is now available right here!

    Footer

    As seen on

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Check out my web stories

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 This Vivacious Life